2016 (16) Nissan E Nv200 Acenta Van Auto

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

Sold between 2014 and 2023 in both panel van and Combi (passenger-carrying) forms, the Nissan e-NV200 was a spacious EV that offered van operators and families a clean, cost-effective alternative to a diesel-powered vehicle. Quieter, with more torque and featuring lower day-to-day costs, here, Nissan claimed, was a way to promote an ethical and responsible urban approach to business and family transport.

History

There are some commercial vehicles and small MPVs that make all the sense in the world. Put Nissan's e-NV200 firmly in that category. The market for compact vans has taken off in the last few years and if you're going to be covering fairly low mileages in places where emissions are an issue, electric power makes all the right numbers. Given that Nissan's experience with the LEAF armed it with a huge amount of experience in electric vehicle development, it's hardly surprising that from its launched in 2014, the e-NV200 campaigned in the LCV and MPV markets without the huge burden of uncertainty that surrounded so many EV rivals. If you want a small LCV from the last decade that lacks an internal combustion engine, don't worry. Nissan has got this. The e-NV200 sold until 2023, when it was replaced by the Townstar Electric.

What You Get

One thing's for sure. You're probably not going to mistake the e-NV200 for its more conventionally-powered diesel sibling. This electric version has a very different front end which adopts the styling cues of the Nissan EV “face” that will be familiar to LEAF drivers, with a central charging door and blue-tinted LED headlights. Arrow-like positioning lamps sit within the crescent-shaped headlamps and glow a distinctive ice blue light colour. LED bulbs are used in the rear lights of all versions as well as at the front on passenger models. The blue theme extends to the e-NV200's badging. Inside, there's an instrument panel with a digital read out. Digital information includes readouts for vehicle speed, state of charge and vehicle range, while a power meter shows the state of motor output/regeneration. The instrument panel is completed by a multi-function display that provides other time, distance and speed information. The van features a cargo area of 4.2 cubic metres, can accommodate two standard Euro pallets, while sliding side doors on both sides and wide opening rear doors ease loading. There's 2.8m of loading length (enough for a long ladder) and an optional folding mesh partition wall if you need more. There's 1.36m of load area height and 1.22m of width between the wheel arches. Alternatively, Nissan also sold an enlarged 'XL' van variant. Or five or seven-seat passenger-carrying Combi model. At the wheel, you sit up high on a supportive seat with excellent views of the road ahead, the gearstick well positioned for easy access from a steering wheel that adjusts for rake but not for reach. The instrumentation is clear but minimalist. Storage areas - 13 apparently - are everywhere, most notably with a deep box between the seats but as well as the usual glovebox and slim door pockets, the tally also includes cup and bottle holders, coin trays and a large bin beneath the driver's seat. Practicality is the e-NV200's No.1 selling point. The Lithium-ion battery was designed to fit under the cargo floor without impinging on the 4.2 cubic metres of available space. With 4.2m³ of load space there is enough room for 2 Euro Pallets or 705kg of cargo. It's also easily accessible with wide opening 60:40 split rear doors and sliding side panel doors. The maximum payload is up to 705kgs and the van can tow up to 410kgs. There's also the option of a larger 'XL' body shape with up to 8m3 of load capacity.

What to Look For

This e-NV200 generally has a strong reliability record, but our ownership survey did throw up a few issues to look out for. We've heard of problems with the sliding door(s) getting stuck. And some owners have had airbag issues which have been fixed with recalls. The interior isn't the last word in sophistication but it is hardwearing. Check for damage to locks, tired rear suspension, rogered brakes and make sure that the load bay tie-downs aren't bent or broken. As usual, look for a full service history.

On the Road

The 1.5-litre diesel engine of the original NV200 was here ditched in favour of an 80kW AC synchronous motor, which was fully integrated with the battery charger and inverter in one compact, self-contained unit. There's MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear, and the Lithium-ion battery was designed to fit under the cargo floor without impinging on available space. This battery pack is 40kWh in size and is packaged very efficiently. This battery assembly also helps boost the torsional and lateral stiffness of the vehicle by 20 percent and 35 per cent respectively over the old conventionally-engined NV200 and helps reduce the centre of gravity. This also aids ride and handling, while the instant torque delivery is perfect for stop and start city driving. It's quicker than the diesel version of this model to 62mph too, eventually running out of amps at 75mph. The tall panel van shape of the NV200 gives rise to an upright seating position that will help drivers who are forever clambering in and out of their vehicle during the working day. The dash-mounted gear lever features a simplified look and feel - shifting like a conventional automatic rather than the computer-style joystick of LEAF - to help drivers regularly moving from internal combustion-engined vans into the e-NV200 acclimatise more quickly. The steering column adjusts for rake but not reach but it shouldn't be difficult to find a decent driving position. Good visibility and an ultra-tight turning circle also help urban drivers. Nissan reckons e-NV200 drivers who use their vehicles for four years and cover approaching 10,000 miles per year will benefit from £2,500 of fuel savings over running a directly comparable diesel model, with the vehicle costing 2 pence per mile, while maintenance costs will be reduced by £575 based on servicing, parts and wear and tear. The e-NV200's homologated WLTP driving range is 124 miles - or up to 187 miles on the WLTP city cycle. There are 3 ways to charge your Nissan e-NV200's 40kWh battery. Using a public rapid charger, you can charge from 20% to 80% in just 40-60 minutes. If you fast charge at home using a 6.6kW wall box, you can reach full charge in seven and a half hours. If you recharge using a domestic plug, it'll take a lengthy twenty one and a half hours. Bear in mind that rapid charging ability only applies from mid-level 'Accenta' trim upwards.

Overall

The Nissan e-NV200 is a model that just seems to work on so many levels. Punching out a bunch of diesel particulates in congested urban areas doesn't seem the smartest thing to do and this electric LCV/MPV demonstrates without ambiguity that there is a better way. With no tailpipe emissions and a power delivery that's ideally suited to short-run stop and start driving, here's a van that says all the right things about ethical and responsible city commerce and family travel. We crunched the ownership numbers and still reckon that an alternative diesel NV200 could work out a little cheaper to run over longer distances, but there's not a lot in it and factor congestion charges into the equation and the e-NV200 is a no-brainer. Even if you're one of the lucky ones who doesn't have to endure the city grind, here's one van or MPV that seems perfectly attuned to urban living.